Backlight assembly and display device having the same

ABSTRACT

A backlight assembly includes a plurality of lamps, a receiving container and a conductive member. Each of the lamps includes a lamp body, a first electrode part disposed at a first end portion of the lamp body and a second electrode part disposed at a second end portion of the lamp body, the second end portion being opposite to the first end portion. The receiving container includes a bottom plate on which the lamps are disposed and a sidewall disposed at edge portions of the bottom plate to define a receiving space. The receiving container has a plurality of grounding portions formed on the bottom plate or the sidewalls. The conductive member electrically connects the second electrode part to one of the grounding portions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 11/436,706 filed on May 18, 2006, which claims priority to KoreanPatent Application No. 2005-42061 filed on May 19, 2005 and KoreanPatent Application No. 2006-3390 filed on Jan. 12, 2006, the contents ofwhich are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a backlight assembly and a displaydevice having the backlight assembly. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a backlight assembly having a reduced number ofelements for driving lamps, and a is display device having the backlightassembly.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device displays images bycontrolling an optical transmittance of each pixel arranged in a matrixshape. The LCD device uses light provided by a backlight assembly todisplay images.

The LCD device includes an LCD panel having a plurality of pixelsarranged in a matrix shape, a driver integrated circuit (IC) that drivespixels of the LCD panel, and a backlight assembly that provides the LCDpanel with light.

The backlight assembly may be classified as either a direct illuminationtype or an edge illumination type. According to the direct illuminationtype backlight assembly, a light source such as a lamp is disposed underthe LCD panel to provide the liquid crystal panel with light. Accordingto the edge illumination type backlight assembly, a light guide plate isdisposed under the LCD panel and a light source such as a lamp isdisposed at a side of the light guide plate, so that light generated bythe light source is applied to the liquid crystal panel through thelight guide plate.

The direction illumination type backlight assembly has relatively lowerluminance uniformity and durability, but high light-using efficiency andluminance because a plurality of lamps is driven in parallel. Therefore,the direct illumination type backlight assembly is primarily used inlarge-sized LCD devices. In order to drive the lamps in parallel, aconventional LCD device includes an inverter master, an inverter slaveand a return wire. The inverter master provides a hot electrode of eachof the lamps with a lamp-driving voltage, and the inverter slave groundsa cold electrode of each of the lamps, and provides a conducting patternfor feeding electric current outputted from the cold electrode back tothe inverter master. The return wire electrically connects theconducting pattern to the inverter master to transfer the electriccurrent outputted from the cold electrode. The inverter includes acircuit for uniformizing deviation of the lamp-driving voltage appliedto the lamps by using the feedback current.

As the inverter slave, a printed circuit board (PCB) may be employed.The lamps may be grounded directly to the inverter slave or to areceiving container via the inverter slave.

However, according to above-mentioned backlight assembly, the lamps arerespectively connected to the inverter slave. As a result, a number ofsteps in backlight assembly process increases, the return wiring iscomplex, and assembling side molds with a receiving container becomescomplex. Therefore, productivity is lowered.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One exemplary embodiment provides a backlight assembly having a reducednumber of elements for driving lamps in parallel.

Another exemplary embodiment provides a display device having the abovebacklight assembly.

One exemplary embodiment of a backlight assembly includes a plurality oflamps, a receiving container and a conductive member. Each of the lampsincludes a lamp body, a first electrode part disposed at a first endportion of the lamp body and a second electrode part disposed at asecond end portion of the lamp body, the second end portion beingopposite to the first end portion. The receiving container includes abottom plate on which the lamps are disposed, and sidewalls disposed atedge portions of the bottom plate to define a receiving space. Thereceiving container has a plurality of grounding portions formed on thebottom plate or the sidewalls. Each of the conductive memberselectrically connects the second electrode part to one of the groundingportions.

In another exemplary embodiment, the grounding portions protrude fromthe bottom plate such that each of the grounding portions is disposedbetween adjacent second electrode parts and each of the conductivemembers is fastened to one of the grounding portions.

In another exemplary embodiment, the backlight assembly furthercomprises a lamp holder and a wire. The lamp holder receives the secondend portions of the lamp body with the second electrode part. The wireelectrically connects the second electrode part to one of the conductivemembers.

In another exemplary embodiment, four lamps adjacent to each other aredisposed corresponding to the one of the grounding portions and twofirst adjacent lamps disposed symmetrically with respect to one of thegrounding portions and two second adjacent lamps disposed symmetricallywith respect to the grounding portion are electrically connected to thegrounding portion.

In another exemplary embodiment, a display device includes a receivingcontainer, a plurality of conductive members, a power supply unit, aplurality of lamps and a display panel. The receiving container includesa bottom plate and sidewalls disposed at edge portions of the bottomplate. The conductive members are electrically connected to thereceiving container. The power supply unit is disposed on a back sideface of the bottom plate. The power supply unit generates a lamp-drivingvoltage. Each of the lamps includes a lamp body disposed on the bottomplate, a first electrode part disposed at a first end portion of thelamp body, and a second electrode part disposed at a second end portionof the lamp body, the second end portion being opposite to the first endportion. The display panel displays images using light generated by thelamps.

In another exemplary embodiment, the conductive members are fastened togrounding portions protruded from the bottom plate and disposed betweensecond electrode parts and at least two of the second electrode partsadjacent to one of the conductive members are electrically connected tothe one of the conductive members.

In another exemplary embodiment, a display device includes a displaypanel, a plurality of lamps, a plurality of lamp holders, a receivingcontainer and a plurality of conductive members. The display paneldisplays images. Each of the lamps includes a lamp body emitting lightto a back side of the display panel, and electrode parts disposed at endportions of the lamp body. The lamp holders are combined with the endportions of the lamp body such that a portion of the electrode partsprotrudes from the lamp holders to support the lamps. The receivingcontainer receives the lamps. The conductive members are fastened to thereceiving container. Each of the conductive members is electricallyconnected to at least one of the electrode parts.

In another exemplary embodiment, the receiving container includes aplurality of grounding portions and the conductive members areelectrically connected to the grounding portions.

In another exemplary embodiment, each of the conductive members includesa combination portion through which the conductive members are combinedwith the receiving container and a contact portion extended from thecombination portion along a direction that is substantiallyperpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the lamps.

In another exemplary embodiment, the display device may further includea first side mold that receives the lamp holder and a second side moldthat receives the conductive members, the first and second side moldssupporting end portions of the display panel.

In another exemplary embodiment, the combination portion is higher thanthe contact portion with respect to a bottom plate of the receivingcontainer.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the conductivemembers are separated from each other.

In another exemplary embodiment, the contact portion is combined withthe electrode parts through soldering.

In another exemplary embodiment, the contact portion includes a firstcontact portion and a second contact portion extended from thecombination portion along an opposite direction. The lamps are paired toform lamp pairs, and the lamp pairs are combined with the lamp holders,and the first and second contact portions make contact with a portion ofthe electrode parts protruded from the lamp holder.

In another exemplary embodiment, each of the grounding portions isdisposed between adjacent lamp holders.

In another exemplary embodiment, the grounding portions may be protrudedfrom a bottom plate of the receiving container toward the display panel.

In another exemplary embodiment, the contact portions include a contactgroove and the electrode part is inserted into the contact groove.

In another exemplary embodiment of the backlight assembly and thedisplay device, the second electrode part of the lamp is groundedthrough a simple structure as described above. Advantageously, a numberof elements for forming the backlight assembly and the display devicemay be reduced to enhance simplicity of assembling the backlightassembly and the display device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent by describing in detailed example embodimentsthereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exemplaryembodiment of a backlight assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plane view illustrating the backlight assembly in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a back side view illustrating the backlight assembly in FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of portion ‘A’ in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another exemplaryembodiment of a main portion of a backlight assembly according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating another exemplary embodimentof a backlight assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating another exemplaryembodiment of a backlight assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of portion ‘B’ in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a main portion of anotherexemplary embodiment of a backlight assembly according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exemplaryembodiment of a display device according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III′ in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view illustrating another exemplaryembodiment of a display device according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view illustrating another exemplaryembodiment of a display device according to the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the display device inFIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged view illustrating a portion in FIG. 16; and

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating another exemplary embodimentof a main portion of a display device according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown.This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventionto those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the size and relativesizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on” or “connected to” another element or layer, it can bedirectly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer orintervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly on” or “directly connected to”or another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layerspresent. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions,layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layersand/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms areonly used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer orsection from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element,component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed asecond element, component, region, layer or section without departingfrom the teachings of the present invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “lower,” “upper” and the like, may beused herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature'srelationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in thefigures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms areintended to encompass different orientations of the device in use oroperation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Forexample, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements describedas “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented“upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the term“lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The devicemay be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations)and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpretedaccordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference tocross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofidealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the invention. Assuch, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, forexample, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, embodiments of the invention should not be construed aslimited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but areto include deviations in shapes that result, for example, frommanufacturing.

For example, an implanted region illustrated as a rectangle will,typically, have rounded or curved features and/or a gradient of implantconcentration at its edges rather than a binary change from implanted tonon-implanted region. Likewise, a buried region formed by implantationmay result in some implantation in the region between the buried regionand the surface through which the implantation takes place. Thus, theregions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and theirshapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of adevice and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exemplaryembodiment of a backlight assembly according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a backlight assembly 5 a plurality of lamps 10, areceiving container 20 and a conductive member 30.

The lamps 10 are driven in parallel. In one exemplary embodiment, a coldcathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) may be employed as a type of the lamps10. Each of the lamps 10 includes a lamp body 11, a first electrode part13 (see FIG. 2) and a second electrode part 15 (see FIG. 4).

The lamp body 11 corresponds to a tube having a discharge gas including,but not limited to, argon (Ar), mercury (Hg), etc., injected thereinto.The tube may have a cylindrical shape. The lamp body 11 may include afluorescent layer formed on an inner surface of the lamp body 11. Thefirst electrode part 13 and the second electrode part 15 are disposed atopposite end portions of the lamp body 11. The first electrode part 13includes a first discharge electrode and a first lead wire. The firstdischarge electrode is disposed inside of the lamp body 11, and thefirst lead wire is extended towards the outside of the lamp body 11 fromthe discharge electrode. The second electrode part 15 may also include asecond discharge electrode and a second lead wire.

A lamp-driving voltage is applied to the first electrode part 13 (shownin a dotted line in FIG. 2) from a power supply unit that is to beexplained in detail below, and the second electrode part 15 is grounded.As a result, an electric field is generated between the first electrodepart 13 and the second electrode part 15 to induce an arc discharge. Thedischarge gas in the lamp body 11 generates ultraviolet light throughthe arc discharge. The ultraviolet light is changed to a visible lightby the fluorescent layer.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, an external electrodefluorescent lamp (EEFL) may be employed as a type of the lamps 10. TheEEFL has high luminance, low price and low power consumption, and aplurality of EEFLs may be driven by one power supply unit.

FIG. 2 is a plane view illustrating the backlight assembly in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a receiving container 20 receives theplurality of lamps 10. The receiving container 20 includes a bottomplate 21, a first sidewall 23, a second sidewall 25, a third sidewall 27and a fourth sidewall 29.

The bottom plate 21 may have a substantially rectangular shape. Thefirst to fourth sidewalls 23, 25, 27 and 29 are disposed at edgeportions of the bottom plate 21 and extend substantially vertically fromthe bottom plate 21. The first and second sidewalls 23 and 25 face eachother, and the third and fourth sidewalls 27 and 29 face each other. Thethird and fourth sidewalls 27 and 29 connect the first and secondsidewalls 23 and 25. The third and fourth sidewalls 27 and 29 includestepped portions at top portions of the third and fourth sidewalls 27and 29, respectively.

The bottom plate 21 includes a plurality of openings 24 arranged alongthe first sidewall 23, and a plurality of grounding portions 22 arrangedalong the second sidewall 25.

FIG. 3 is a backside view of the backlight assembly in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the backlight assembly 5 further includes afirst lamp holder 41, a second lamp holder 43 and a power supply unit18.

The first lamp holder 41 holds a first end portion of the lamp body 11,where the first electrode part 13 is disposed, and the second lampholder 43 holds a second end portion of the lamp body 11, where thesecond electrode part 15 is disposed. In one exemplary embodiment, thefirst lamp holder 41 holds two lamps 10, and the second lamp holder 43also holds two lamps 10. The first lamp holder 41 is fastened to thebottom plate 21 such that the first lamp holder 41 is adjacent to thefirst sidewall 23, and a connector is drawn to a back side face of thebottom plate 21 through the opening 24 portions.

The connector is electrically connected to the power supply unit 18, andthe power supply unit 18 applies the lamp driving voltage to the firstelectrode part 13. The power supply unit 18 is disposed on the back sideface of the bottom plate 21 such that the power supply unit 18 isadjacent to the first sidewall 23.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion ‘A’ in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is across-sectional view taken along a line I-I′ in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 4, the second lamp holder 43 includes two holdingparts having a slit-shape. Two of the second end portions of the twolamps 10 are inserted into the holding parts. The second lamp holder 43exposes the lead wire of the second electrode part 15.

The grounding portions 22 protrude from the bottom plate 21 such thatthe grounding portions 22 are disposed between the second electrodeparts 15. In one exemplary embodiment, the grounding portions 22 have aslightly smaller height relative to that of the second electrode parts15 with respect to the bottom plate 21. As shown in FIG. 5, four of thesecond electrode parts 15 (two associated with each one of the secondlamp holders 43) are adjacent to one of the grounding portions 22.

In exemplary embodiments, the conductive member 30 includes metal havinghigh conductivity. In one exemplary embodiment, the conductive member 30includes copper (Cu). The conductive member 30 is fastened to thegrounding portion 22 by a fastening member 31, such as a screw. Inanother exemplary embodiment, when the conductive member 30 is fastenedto the grounding portion 22, the conductive member 30 has substantiallythe same height as that of the second electrode part 15 with respect tothe bottom plate 21. In another exemplary embodiment, the conductivemember 30 has a slightly larger area than that of the grounding portion22. The conductive member 30 includes protrusions for being combinedwith wires. The protrusions will be explained in detail in thefollowing.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the backlight assembly 5 may furtherinclude a wire 45. The wire 45 electrically connects the secondelectrode part 15 to the conductive member 30. In detail, two of thesecond electrode parts 15, which are disposed at a right portion withrespect to the grounding portion 22, are electrically connected to theconductive member 30 through a first branch of the wire 45, and two ofthe second electrode parts 15, which are disposed at a left portion withrespect to the grounding portion 22, are electrically connected to theconductive member 30 through a second branch of the wire 45. Lengths ofthe branches of the wires 45 from the second electrode parts 15 to theconductive member 30 may be substantially the same.

In one exemplary embodiment, the wire 45 is electrically connected tothe protrusions of the conductive member 30 through soldering. In analternative exemplary embodiment, end portions of the wire 45 may haveconnecting terminals for being connected to the second electrode part 15and the conductive member 30.

As a result, the second electrode part 15 is electrically connected tothe bottom plate 21 of the receiving container (or grounded) through thewire 45 and the conductive member 30. The second electrode part 15 has aground potential of 0 volt (V). When the lamp-driving voltage providedby the power supply unit 18 is applied to the first electrode part 13,the lamp 10 generates light.

In order to generate uniform light throughout the lamps 10,substantially the same driving voltages may be applied to the lamps 10,when a plurality of lamps 10 is driven in parallel. In order to applysubstantially the same lamp-driving voltages to the lamps 10, the powersupply unit 18 may include a circuit that controls the lamp-drivingvoltages to be substantially the same.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 6, the backlight assembly 5 may further include firstand second side molds 50 a and 50 b, respectively, and optical sheets60.

The first and second side molds 50 a and 50 b are disposed along thefirst and second sidewalls 23 and 25, respectively. The first and secondside molds 50 a and 50 b cover the first and second lamp holders 41 and43, respectively. The first and second side molds 50 a and 50 b eachinclude two supporting portions that make contact with the bottom plate21, and an upper portion that connects the two supporting portions. Inthe case of the first side mold 50 a disposed along the first sidewall23, the two supporting portions face each other with the first lampholder 41 disposed therebetween. In the case of the second side mold 50b disposed along the second sidewall 25, the two supporting portionsface each other with the second lamp holder 43 and the groundingportions 22 disposed therebetween. The upper portions of the first andsecond side molds 50 a and 50 b each have a stepped portion.

The optical sheets 60 enhance optical characteristics of light generatedby the lamps 10. The optical sheets 60 may include a reflective sheet61, a diffusion sheet 63 and light-condensing sheets 65 and 67. Thereflective sheet 61 is disposed on the bottom plate 21 and under thelamps 10. The reflective sheet 61 reflects light generated by the lamps10. In one exemplary embodiment, the reflective sheet 61 may includepolyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polycarbonate (PC).

The diffusion sheet 63 diffuses light generated by the lamps 10 toenhance luminance uniformity. The light-condensing sheets 65 and 67 aredisposed over the diffusion sheet 63 to condense light, in order toadjust light paths so that the light paths approach a normal line of theoptical sheets 60. The diffusion sheet 63 and the light-condensingsheets 65 and 67 are disposed on and supported by the stepped portion ofthe first and second side molds 50 a and 50 b.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another exemplaryembodiment of a portion of a backlight assembly according to the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 7, a backlight assembly 100 includes a plurality oflamps 110, a receiving container 120, a first lamp holder (not shown), asecond lamp holder 143, a conductive member 130, a wire 145 and opticalsheets 160.

The backlight assembly 100 is substantially the same as the backlightassembly 5 in FIGS. 1 to 6 except for a number of lamps grounded to onegrounding portion.

A bottom plate 121 of the receiving container 120 includes a pluralityof grounding portions 122, and a plurality of second electrode parts 115adjacent to one of the grounding portions 122. In one exemplaryembodiment, there may be eight second electrode parts 115 correspondingto (or associated with) one grounding portion 122. In detail, aplurality, such as four, of the second electrode parts 115 are disposedat a left portion of one of the grounding portions 122, and four of thesecond electrode parts 115 are disposed at a right portion of the samegrounding portion 122. In alternative exemplary embodiments, a number oflamps 110 disposed symmetrically with respect to one of the groundingportions 122 may be adjusted as is suitable for the purpose describedherein. In one exemplary embodiment, six of the lamps 110 may bedisposed at a right portion of one of the grounding portions 122, andsix of the lamps 110 may be disposed at a left portion of the samegrounding portion 122.

A wire 145 has a first branch 145 a, a second branch 145 b, a thirdbranch 145 c, a fourth branch 145 d, a fifth branch 145 e, a sixthbranch 145 f, a seventh branch 145 g and an eighth branch 145 h. Each ofthe first to fourth branches 145 a, 145 b, 145 c and 145 d electricallyconnects two adjacent lamps 110. The first and second branches 145 a and145 b of the wire 145, which is disposed at a left portion is of thegrounding portion 122, are electrically connected to each other by thefifth branch 145 e, and the third and fourth branches 145 c and 145 ddisposed at a right portion of the grounding portion 122 areelectrically connected to each other by the sixth branch 145 f. Theseventh branch 145 g electrically connects a portion, such as a centerportion, of the fifth branch 145 e to the grounding portion 122, and theeighth branch 145 h electrically connects a portion, such as a centerportion, of the sixth branch 145 f to the same grounding portion 122. Asa result, a length of each branch of the wire 145 is considered to befrom the grounding portion 122 to a corresponding lamp of the eightlamps 110. In one exemplary embodiment, each of the branches 145 a to145 h may be electrically connected through soldering.

The optical sheets 160 enhance optical characteristics of lightgenerated by the lamps 110. The optical sheets 160 may include areflective sheet 161, a diffusion sheet 163 and light-condensing sheets165 and 167. The reflective sheet 161 is disposed on the bottom plate121 and under the lamps 110. The reflective sheet 161 reflects lightgenerated by the lamps 110. In one exemplary embodiment, the reflectivesheet 161 may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polycarbonate(PC).

The diffusion sheet 163 diffuses light generated by the lamps 110 toenhance luminance uniformity. The light-condensing sheets 165 and 167are disposed over the diffusion sheet 163 to condense light, in order toadjust light paths so that the light paths approach a normal line of theoptical sheets 160.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of abacklight assembly according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, a backlight assembly 200 includes a plurality oflamps 210, is a receiving container 220, a first lamp holder (notshown), a second lamp holder 243, a conductive member 230, a wire 245and optical sheets (not shown). The receiving container 220 includesfirst and third sidewalls (not shown), second sidewall 225, fourthsidewall 229 and a bottom plate 221, the sidewalls and the bottom platedefining a receiving space on an inside of the receiving container 220.

The backlight assembly 200 is substantially the same as the backlightassembly 5 FIGS. 1 to 6 except for a position of a grounding portion226.

The grounding portion 226 is disposed at a second sidewall 225 of thereceiving container 220, unlike the receiving container 20 in FIGS. 1 to6. In detail, the grounding portion 226 is formed on the second sidewall225 such that the grounding portion 226 is disposed between the secondelectrode parts 215. The grounding portion 226 protrudes from the secondsidewall 225 toward the inside of the receiving container 220. Forexample, four of the second electrode parts 215 are considered as beingadjacent to the one grounding portion 226 as illustrated I FIG. 8.

The conductive member 230 is fastened to the grounding portion 226through a screw 231, and the wire 245 electrically connects the secondelectrode part 215 to the conductive member 230. In one exemplaryembodiment, the wire 245 is, soldered to the second electrode part 215and the conductive member 230.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating another exemplaryembodiment of a backlight assembly according to the present invention.FIG. 10 is an enlarged view illustrating portion ‘B’ in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 9, a backlight assembly 300 includes a plurality oflamps 310, a receiving container 320, a lamp holder 341, a plurality ofconductive members 330 and optical sheets 360.

The lamps 310, the receiving container 320 and the optical sheets 360are substantially the same as the lamps 10, the receiving container 20,and the optical sheets 60 in FIG. 1, respectively. The receivingcontainer 320 includes a bottom plate 321, a first sidewall 323, asecond sidewall 325, a third sidewall 327 and a fourth sidewall 329.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the lamp holder 341 is combined withonly the first end portion of a lamp body 311. The lamp holder 341,first and second side molds 350 a and 350 b, reflective sheet 361,diffusion sheet 363 and light-condensing sheets 365 and 367 aresubstantially the same as the lamp holder 41, first and second sidemolds 50 a and 50 b, reflective sheet 61, diffusion sheet 63 andlight-condensing sheets 65 and 67 in FIGS. 1 to 6.

Referring to FIG. 10, the plurality of conductive members 330 isfastened to grounding portions 322 formed on a bottom plate 321 of thereceiving container 320, respectively. A portion, such as a centerportion, of each of the conductive members 330 is recessed toward thebottom plate 321, and the conductive members 330 are extended lengthwisealong the second sidewall 325. The conductive member 330 is fastened tothe grounding portion 322 through a securing member 331, such as ascrew.

Second electrode parts 315 are disposed such that a number of secondelectrode parts are disposed symmetrically on each of the left and rightsides of the grounding portion 322. In one exemplary embodiment, a totalof four second electrode parts 315 are disposed such that two of thesecond electrode parts 315 are disposed at a left side, and theremaining two of the second electrode parts 315 are disposed at a rightside, respectively, of the grounding portion 322. In another exemplaryembodiment, lead wires (not shown) of the second electrode parts 315 aresoldered to the conductive members 330.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating another exemplary embodimentof a portion of a backlight assembly according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, a backlight assembly 400 a plurality of lamps 410,a receiving container 420, a lamp holder (not shown), a conductivemember 430 and optical sheets (not shown). The backlight assembly 400 issubstantially the same as the backlight assembly 300 in FIGS. 9 and 10except for the conductive member 430. The lamp body 411 is substantiallythe same as the lamp body 11 in FIGS. 1 to 6.

The conductive member 430 is essentially the same as the conductivemembers 330 in FIG. 10 except for clips 433. The conductive member 430includes the clips 433 which may be disposed on an upper or a lowersurface of the conductive member 430. In detail, a number of clips 433are formed on the conductive member 430 such that a symmetrical numberof clips 433 are formed on the left and right sides, respectively, of agrounding member 422. In one exemplary embodiment, four clips 433 areformed on the conductive member 430 such that two clips 433 are disposedat a left side and the remaining two clips 433 are disposed at a rightside of the grounding member 422 and the four clips 433 aresymmetrically disposed. A second electrode part 415 is inserted into theclip 433.

A plurality of conductive members 430 is fastened to the groundingmembers 422 formed on a bottom plate 421 of the receiving container 420,respectively. A portion, such as a center portion, of each of theconductive members 430 is recessed toward the bottom plate 421 and theconductive members 430 are extended lengthwise along a second sidewall425. The recessed portion of the conductive member 430 allows extensionsof the lengthwise portion, and consequently the lamps 410, to be spacedapart from the bottom plate 421 by a predetermined distance relative tothe bottom plate 421. The conductive member 430 is fastened to thegrounding member 422 through a securing member 431, such as a screw.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of adisplay device according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, a display device 600 includes a receivingcontainer 620, a plurality of conductive members 630, a power supplyunit 618 (see FIG. 13), a plurality of lamps 610 and a display panel680. The receiving container 620 includes first sidewall 623, secondsidewall 625, third sidewall 627, fourth sidewall 629 and a bottom plate621 defining a receiving space on an inside of the receiving container620.

The receiving container 620, the conductive members 630, the powersupply unit 618, the lamps 610 and lamp body 611 are substantially thesame as the receiving container 20, the conductive members 30, the powersupply unit 18, the lamps 10 and the lamp body 11 in FIGS. 1 to 6,respectively.

The lamps 610 are disposed at a bottom plate 621 of the receivingcontainer 620, on which a reflective sheet 661 is disposed. A first endportion of the lamp 610 is combined with a first lamp holder 641, andthe first lamp holder 641 is electrically connected to the power supplyunit 618 disposed at a back side face of the bottom plate 621.

A second end portion of each of the lamps 610 is combined with a secondlamp holder 643, and the second electrode part 615, which is disposedadjacent to the second end portion of each of the lamps 610, is combinedwith one of the conductive members 630 through a wire 645. Each of theconductive members 630 is fastened to a grounding portion 622 through afastening member 631, such as a screw (see FIG. 13).

The display device 600 further includes first and second side molds 650a and 650 b, optical sheets 660 and a middle mold 670.

The first side mold 650 a covers the first lamp holder 641 and thesecond side mold 650 b covers the second lamp holder 643. A diffusionsheet 663 and light-condensing sheets 665 and 667 of the optical sheets660 are disposed on stepped portions of the first and second side molds650 a and 650 b, and stepped portions of the third sidewall 627 and thefourth sidewall 629 of the receiving container 620.

The middle mold 670 compresses edge portions of the light-condensingsheets 665 and 667, and is combined with the receiving container 620.The middle mold 670 has a panel guide recess.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III′ in FIG. 12.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the display panel 680 is disposed on thepanel guide recess of the middle mold 570. The display panel 680receives light that exits from the optical sheets 660 to convert thelight into images. The display panel 680 includes a thin-film transistor(TFT) substrate 681, a color filter substrate 685 and a liquid crystallayer (not shown). The TFT substrate 681 and the color filter substrate685 face each other. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between theTFT substrate 681 and the color filter substrate 685.

The TFT substrate 681 includes a plurality of gate lines (not shown)extended along a first direction, and a plurality of data lines (notshown) extended along a second direction that is substantiallyperpendicular to the first direction. The data lines and the gate linesdefine pixel regions arranged substantially in a matrix shape. A pixelelectrode and a TFT are formed in each of the pixel regions. When a gatevoltage is applied to the TFT through one of the gate lines, the TFT isturned on. When the TFT is turned on, a data voltage of the data line isapplied to the pixel electrode through the TFT.

The color filter substrate 685 may include color filters. In exemplaryembodiments, red-green-blue (RGB) color filters correspond to the pixelregions, respectively, and a common electrode covers the RGB colorfilters.

The display panel 680 further includes light-polarizing plates (notshown), a printed circuit board (PCB) 683 (see FIG. 12) and a panelprinted circuit film 684 (see FIG. 12). The light-polarizing plates aredisposed on the color filter substrate 685 and the TFT substrate 681,respectively. In one exemplary embodiment, the polarizing plates aresubstantially perpendicular to the polarizing axis.

The PCB 683 outputs panel-driving signals such as the gate voltage andthe data voltage. A first side of the panel printed circuit film 684 iselectrically connected to the display panel 680, and a second side ofthe panel printed circuit film 684, which is opposite to the first side,is electrically connected to the PCB 683. Liquid crystal molecules ofthe liquid crystal layer are rearranged in response to the panel-drivingsignals to change optical transmittance of the liquid crystal layer. Asa result, the display panel 680 displays images.

The display device 600 may further include a top chassis 690 exposing aneffective display region of the display panel 680, and being combinedwith the receiving container 620.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of another exemplary embodimentof a display device according to the present invention, and FIG. 15 is across-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ in FIG. 14.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, a display device 800 includes a powersupply unit 818, a plurality of lamps 810, a receiving container 820, aplurality of conductive members 830, first and second side molds 850 aand 850 b, optical sheets 860, a middle mold 870, a display panel 880and a top chassis 890. The receiving container 820 includes firstsidewall 823, second sidewall 825, third sidewall 827, fourth sidewall829 and a bottom plate 821 defining a receiving space on an inside ofthe receiving container 820.

The display device 800 is substantially the same as the display device600 in FIGS. 12 and 13 except that the second lamp holder 643 and thewire 645 are omitted, and the conductive members 830 replace theconductive members 630.

The lamps 810 are disposed at a bottom plate 821 of the receivingcontainer 820, on which a reflective sheet 861 is disposed. A first endportion of the lamp 810 is combined with a first lamp holder 841, andthe first lamp holder 841 is electrically connected to the power supplyunit 818 disposed at a back side face of the bottom plate 821.

As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the lamp holder 841 is combined withonly the first end portion of a lamp body 811. A diffusion sheet 863 andlight-condensing sheets 865 and 867 of the optical sheets 860 aredisposed on stepped portions of the first and second side molds 850 aand 850 b, and stepped portions of the third sidewall 827 and the fourthsidewall 829 of the receiving container 820.

The plurality of conductive members 830 is fastened to groundingportions 822 formed on the bottom plate 821 of the receiving container820, respectively. A portion, such as a center portion, of each of theconductive members 830 is recessed toward the bottom plate 821, and theconductive members 830 are extended lengthwise along the second sidewall825. The conductive member 830 is fastened to the grounding portion 822through a securing member, such as a screw.

The middle mold 870 compresses edge portions of the light-condensingsheets 865 and 867, and is combined with the receiving container 820.The middle mold 870 has a panel guide recess.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ in FIG. 14.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the display panel 880 is disposed on thepanel guide recess of the middle mold 870. The display panel 880receives light that exits from the optical sheets 860 to convert thelight into images. The display panel 880 includes a thin-film transistor(TFT) substrate 881, a color filter substrate 885 and a liquid crystallayer (not shown).

The display panel 880 further includes light-polarizing plates (notshown), a printed circuit board (PCB) 883 (see FIG. 12) and a panelprinted circuit film 884 (see FIG. 12).

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of adisplay device according to the present invention. FIG. 17 is across-sectional view of the display device in FIG. 16. FIG. 18 is anenlarged view illustrating a main portion in FIG. 16.

Referring to FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, a display device 900 includes adisplay panel 920 displaying images, a driver integrated circuit (IC)(not shown) driving the display panel 920, a plurality of lamps 950providing the display panel 920 with light, a receiving container 980receiving the lamps 950 and a top chassis 910 combined with thereceiving container 980 to cover edge portions of the display panel 920.The display device 900 further includes a plurality of conductivemembers 960 connecting the lamps 950 in parallel. The conductive members960 are combined with the receiving container 980 through groundingportions 981 formed in the receiving container 980.

The display panel 920 includes a TFT substrate 921, a color filtersubstrate 922 facing the TFT substrate 921, and a liquid crystal layer(not shown) disposed between the TFT substrate 921 and the color filtersubstrate 922. The display panel 920 may further include a firstpolarizing plate 923 disposed on the color filter substrate 922, and asecond polarizing plate 924 disposed on the back side of the TFTsubstrate 921. The display panel 920 includes a plurality of liquidcrystal cells arranged in a matrix shape. The display panel 920 displaysimages by controlling optical transmittance of each of the liquidcrystal cells in response to image signals provided by the driver IC.

The TFT substrate 921 includes a plurality of gate lines (not shown)arranged along a first direction and a plurality of data lines (notshown) arranged along a second direction that is substantiallyperpendicular to the first direction. The TFT is formed in a regionwhere the data lines and the gate lines cross. A data signal providedfrom the driver IC is applied to a pixel electrode of the TFT substrate921 to generate electric fields between the pixel electrode of the TFTsubstrate 921 and a common electrode of the color filter substrate 922.When the electric fields are generated between the pixel electrode andthe common electrode, an arrangement of liquid crystal moleculesdisposed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode is changedto adjust optical transmittance.

The color filter substrate 922 may include RGB color filters and thecommon electrode (not shown). The common electrode may include anoptically transparent and electrically conductive material such asindium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO) and the like. The colorfilter substrate 922 may have a smaller area than that of the TFTsubstrate 921.

In one exemplary embodiment, the first and second polarizing plates 923and 924 are disposed such that a polarizing axis of the first polarizingplate 923 is substantially perpendicular to a polarizing axis of thesecond polarizing plate 924. The second polarizing plate 924 essentiallycorresponds to a polarizer and the first polarizing plate 923essentially corresponds to an analyzer.

The driver IC (not shown) includes terminals for an electric connection.The driver IC is mounted on the TFT substrate 921, and the driver IC iselectrically connected to the gate lines and the data lines.

The optical sheets 930 may include a protection sheet 931 disposed underthe display panel 920, a prism sheet 933 and a diffusion sheet 935. Thediffusion sheet 935 may include a base sheet and a diffusion layer thatis formed on the base sheet. In exemplary embodiments, the diffusionsheet 935 may include a plurality of beads. The diffusion sheet 935diffuses light generated by the lamps 950 to provide the display panel920 with diffused light. In other exemplary embodiments, the displaydevice may include two or three diffusion sheets overlapped with eachother.

The prism sheet 933 may include prism patterns having a substantialprism shape and being arranged substantially in parallel. The prismsheet 933 condenses light to enhance front-view luminance. In exemplaryembodiments, the display device may include two prism sheets 933. Prismsof the two sheets 933 may have a specific angle. Light that passes theprism sheet 933 advances along a roughly normal direction of the prismsheet 933 to uniformize luminance. The protection sheet 931 protects theprism sheet 933 that is easily scratched.

Each of the lamps 950 include a lamp body 951 and electrode parts 953disposed at first and second end portions of the lamp body 951,respectively. Each of the lamps 950 receives electric power from aninverter (not shown) to generate light. A plurality of lamps 950 isarranged substantially in parallel with each other under the displaypanel 920. In exemplary embodiments, the lamps 950 are arranged inpairs. The first and second end portions of a pair of lamps 950 areinserted into first and second lamp holders 955 a and 955 b,respectively, such that a portion of each of the first and second endportions passes through one of the first and second lamp holders 955 aand 955 b. The first and second lamp holders 955 a and 955 b eachsupport the lamp body 951, and are received in first and second sidemolds 940 a and 940 b, respectively.

In one exemplary embodiment, a CCFL may be employed as a type of thelamps 950. In another exemplary embodiment, EEFL may be employed as atype of the lamps 950. The EEFL has high luminance, low price and lowpower consumption, and a plurality of EEFLs may be driven by one powersupply unit.

Each of the conductive members 960 is disposed between pairs of thefirst lamp holders 955 a and/or the second lamp holders 955 b. Each ofthe conductive members 960 includes a combination portion 963 for beingcombined with one of the grounding portions 981 of the receivingcontainer 980, and a pair of contact portions 961 extended from thecombination portion 963 along a direction of arrangement of the lamps950, or in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinaldirection of the lamps 950. Conductive members 960 may be disposed atone end of the lamps 950 or at both ends of the lamps 950.

In exemplary embodiments, the contact portions 961 are higher than thecombination portion 963 relative to a bottom surface of the receivingcontainer 980 so that the contact portions 961 may make contact with theelectrode parts 953 during an assembly process. The contact portions 961are extended along opposite directions, respectively, from thecombination portion 963. The lamps 950 are paired and the paired lamps950 are combined with a first and a second lamp holders 955 a and 955 bat respective ends of the lamps 950. The contact portions 961 of asingle conductive member 960 make contact with the electrode parts 953protruding from one of the first and second lamp holders 955 a and 955b, respectively. For each lamp holder, one contact portion 961 isdisposed at a left side of the conductive member 960 to contact theelectrode parts 953 of a pair of lamps and one contact portion 961 isdisposed at a right side of the conductive member 960 to contact theelectrode parts 953 of the other pair of lamps. As a result, four lamps950 are connected to one of the conductive members 960. In one exemplaryembodiment, the contact portion 961 and the electrode part 953 may beelectrically connected to each other through a conductive solder 990.

In exemplary embodiments, lamps 950 may be divided into more than onegroup. Each of the conductive members 960 electrically connecting thelamps 950 included in a group in parallel is combined and grounded tothe receiving container 980 through a fastening member, such as a screw.Advantageously, an assembly process may be simplified.

A reflective sheet 970 is disposed between the lamps 950 and thereceiving container 980 to reflect light generated by the lamps 950toward the diffusion sheet 935. In one exemplary embodiment, thereflective sheet 970 includes polyethylene terephthalate (PET) orpolycarbonate (PC).

The receiving container 980 may include a plurality of groundingportions 981. The receiving container 980 is grounded. The receivingcontainer 980 and the conductive members 960 are combined through thegrounding portions 981. Each of the grounding portions 981 is disposedbetween the first lamp holders 955 a and/or the second lamp holders 955b. The grounding portions 981 are combined with the combination portions963 of the conductive members 960, respectively, through a fasteningmember to ground the conductive members 960.

The top chassis 910 has an opening that exposes a display region of thedisplay panel 920. The top chassis 910 is combined with the receivingcontainer 980.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating a main portion of anotherexemplary embodiment of a display device according to the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 19, the contact portion 961 of theconductive member 960 includes a contact groove 965 where the electrodepart 953 is disposed. The electrode part 953 of the lamp is essentiallyinserted into the contact groove 965. The contact groove 965 hassubstantially the same size, such as an outer diameter, as that of theelectrode part 953. In one exemplary embodiment, the contact portion 961is combined with the electrode part 953 through soldering.

The electrode part 953 is fastened to the contact groove 965 and thelamp 950 is grounded to the receiving container 980 via the combinationportion 963 and the grounding portion 981.

A second electrode part of a CCFL or an EEFL is grounded to thereceiving container 980 through one of the conductive members 960, and afirst electrode part of the CCFL or EEFL receives electric power, sothat an electric field is generated between the first and secondelectrodes. As a result, electrons are emitted to generate light.

Exemplary embodiments of the backlight assembly driving lamps inparallel and the display device according to the present invention, donot require a PCB (inverter slave) that grounds the second electrodepart. A connector connects the second electrode part to the PCB and apower supply unit (inverter master) provides the PCB with current.Advantageously, a number of elements for assembling the backlightassembly may be reduced to reduce manufacturing costs.

In another exemplary embodiment, the second electrode part iselectrically connected directly to the receiving container through oneof the conductive members that is electrically connected to the secondelectrode part by soldering. Advantageously, an assembly process may besimplified.

Having described the example embodiments of the present invention andits advantages, it is noted that various changes, substitutions andalterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by appended claims.

1. A backlight assembly comprising: a plurality of lamps, each of thelamps comprising: a lamp body, a first electrode part disposed at afirst end portion of the lamp body, and a second electrode part disposedat a second end portion of the lamp body, the second end portion beingopposite to the first end portion; a single unitary indivisiblereceiving container comprising: a bottom plate on which the plurality oflamps are disposed, a sidewall disposed at an edge portion of the bottomplate to define a receiving space, and a grounding portion defined by aportion of the bottom plate or the sidewall; and a conductive memberelectrically connected with the second electrode parts of the pluralityof lamps and the grounding portion to ground the second electrode parts.2. The backlight assembly of claim 1, wherein the grounding portionprotrudes from the bottom plate.
 3. The backlight assembly of claim 2,wherein the conductive member contacts with the grounding portion. 4.The backlight assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a lamp holderreceiving the second end portion of the lamp body with the secondelectrode part, and fixing the second end portion of the lamp withrespect to the bottom plate.
 5. The backlight assembly of claim 1,wherein the conductive member is extended along a direction that issubstantially perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the lamp bodyand at least one of the second electrode parts contacts with theconductive member.
 6. The backlight assembly of claim 5, wherein thesecond electrode part is soldered to the conductive member.
 7. Thebacklight assembly of claim 5, wherein the conductive member comprises aclip and the second electrode part inserted into the clip.
 8. Thebacklight assembly of claim 1, wherein the grounding portion protrudesfrom the sidewall.
 9. The backlight assembly of claim 1, wherein theconductive member contacts with the grounding portion.
 10. The backlightassembly of claim 1, wherein the conductive member is screwed togetherwith the grounding portion.
 11. A display device comprising: a pluralityof lamps, each of the lamps comprising: a lamp body, a first electrodepart disposed at a first end portion of the lamp body, and a secondelectrode part disposed at a second end portion of the lamp body, thesecond end portion being opposite to the first end portion; a singleunitary indivisible receiving container comprising: a bottom plate onwhich the plurality of lamps are disposed, a sidewall disposed at anedge portion of the bottom plate to define a receiving space, and agrounding portion defined by a portion of the bottom plate or thesidewall; a conductive member electrically connected with the secondelectrode parts of the plurality of lamps and the grounding portion toground the second electrode parts; and a power supply unit disposedoutside of the receiving container, the power supply unit applying alamp-driving voltage to the first electrode parts of the plurality oflamps.
 12. The display device of claim 11, wherein the grounding portionprotrudes from the bottom plate.
 13. The display device of claim 12,wherein the conductive member contacts with the grounding portion. 14.The display device of claim 11, further comprising: a lamp holderreceiving the second end portion of the lamp body with the secondelectrode part, and fixing the second end portion of the lamp withrespect to the bottom plate.
 15. The display device of claim 11, whereinthe conductive member is extended along a direction that issubstantially perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the lamp bodyand at least one of the second electrode parts contacts with theconductive member.
 16. The display device of claim 15, wherein thesecond electrode part is soldered to the conductive member.
 17. Thedisplay device of claim 15, wherein the conductive member comprises aclip and the second electrode part inserted into the clip.
 18. Thedisplay device of claim 11, wherein the grounding portion protrudes fromthe sidewall.
 19. The display device of claim 18, wherein the conductivemember contacts with the grounding portion.
 20. The display device ofclaim 11, wherein the conductive member is screwed together with thegrounding portion.